Last week the FIA released the report relating to the controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi which explained all the circumstances that led to the chaotic last lap of the race where Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton to become world champion.
Human error committed by Michael Masi was cited in the Federation investigation, but the Australian’s decisions, again according to the FIA, were made in good faith to try to finish the race under the green flag. Furthermore, the Federation recognized the enormous pressure Masi was subjected to.
The disappointment for the vanished victory on the last lap pushed Lewis Hamilton to a long social silence after the end of the season. The Mercdes driver, who finished the Bahrain GP in third position last weekend, explained that he has not yet read the report carefully and does not expect any excuses for what happened in Abu Dhabi.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, runner up, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, runner up, congratulate each other on the podium
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“Maybe I’ll read it after this weekend (in Bahrain ed.). I don’t expect an apology and that’s not something that interests me. Now we know what happened, but the fact that there is this transparency, that human error has been admitted, I think is something positive. Unfortunately, however, we cannot go back and change the past ”.
“At the moment I am focused on what I can do now. I want to work with the team to improve the car. We have some work to do “.
In the weeks leading up to the publication of the report, Hamilton had asked for the document to be made public so that fans could have full awareness of what happened in Abu Dhabi.
The FIA has already adopted a number of changes after the chaos of the last race, including the introduction of two referees who will alternate in the role and who will be supported by a deputy director, a senior consultant and the race control room.
Toto Wolff appreciated these innovations put in place by the FIA, underlining how great progress has been made compared to the past.
“Regardless of whether the report is complete or not, I believe it represented a good step forward in terms of governance. The emphasis on how a human error has been made, and the acknowledgment of this error, is important. Now, however, this chapter must be closed “.
“Honestly, I haven’t thought about what happened in Abu Dhabi since our car proved not to be competitive.”
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